[Elecraft] Wow, Elecraft charges a lot for shipping!

[Charlie T, K3ICH]

Bringing this discussion back down to Earth, 

I ship a lot of moderate weight (up to 5 pound) items and I can tell you that shipping costs have escalated so much over the past few years that I'm sure many people have limited their internet shopping.  This is especially true from my experience with international sales.  As an example, I make a variety of spun aluminum knob inlays for "boatanchor" radios that range in price from $1 to $4 and weigh practically nothing.  The cheapest I can ship a tiny inlay to Europe in  * a box, is $7.10.  Needless to say, bundling for overseas shipments is the only practical way.

If your first impression is that Elecraft's shipping is a tad on the high side, just remember, the high dollar items are insured for full value.   That's an added $20 for a $2k item.  That plus the very real high cost for any service moves that amount up quite a bit.

Admittedly, loss or damage to a relatively small package is low, but do you really want to take that chance?

73, Charlie k3ICH


* Yes, I could put it in a simple envelope for $1.35, but the chance of damage is close to 100%.  I use a fold-up "cassette mailer" box that you could stand on resulting in a damage percentage under 1%.  My only concern is just how long a cassette mailer box is going to be sold.  Does anybody still use cassettes, or much less,  send them through the mail?    Domestic USPS on that box has gone from 59¢ to $2.54 in about ten years.   Int'l, from a couple bucks to $7.10 in the same time frame.





-----Original Message-----
From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Ray Sills
Sent: Monday, August 31, 2015 8:59 AM
To: Elecraft Reflector <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Wow, Elecraft charges a lot for shipping!

When I ordered my KX3 kit several years ago, I requested USPS Priority Mail.  The cost was around $15 (less expensive than any other shipping method), and it arrived (west coast to east coast) in 3 days… maybe 2, I forget.  But, it -was- quick.

USPS Priority does a fine job.  And, insurance is available.  Only once in my experience did USPS have a shipping hiccup:
The package coming to me had arrived in Philadelphia (closest major city)… but somehow, it got sent to California, where I languished for a day or two, before finally coming back to Philly and ultimately to me.  BTW, this hiccup was not an order from Elecraft.  I still prefer USPS Priority.

73 de Ray
K2ULR
KX3 #211